That afternoon, Netanyahu and Katz ordered the Israeli military to once again attack government forces and weaponry in Suweida. They said they were working to prevent them from harming the Druze and to "ensure the demilitarisation" of areas near Israel's border.

Israeli warplanes pounded Syrian government buildings in Damascus, escalating its campaign against Syria’s new authorities amid heavy clashes between government forces and the country’s Druze minority.

The Israeli military launched airstrikes in the heart of Damascus on Wednesday, hitting the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters.

Israel carried out a series of powerful strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus Wednesday, escalating a campaign it says is in support of an Arab minority group involved in deadly clashes with Syrian government forces.

Israel says its military has attacked the headquarters of the Syrian military in Damascus Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says "warnings" have now ended and "painful blows" will come Israel says it is trying to protect members of the Druze community in south-west Syria "We are working to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the regime's gangs,

At least 135 people have been killed at the Druze-majority city of As-Sweida since Sunday and many others humiliated by the assailants. The

Authorities are searching for a missing woman who was last seen in the Damascus area. Rachel Nicole Combs, 39, of Marion, is missing, according to the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (276) 676-6000.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Syria, including near the presidential palace and on the defence ministry headquarters in central Damascus.